We previously reported that Holt Renfrew at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre would be expanding by about 19,000 square feet to create an 84,000 square foot store. Today, Holt's CEO Mark Derbyshire confirms that the Yorkdale store will add a second level (modifying a previous food court above Holt's) to create a 120,000+ square foot Holt Renfrew store with a central, two-level atrium. This was a recent further expansion-decision and is expected to be comple by August 2013.

This expansion is partly in response to the entry of Nordstrom into Canada, and partly responding to Harry Rosen's increase in both store sizes and brands. Menswear seems to be the next frontier for larger-format retailers in Canada seeking to grow sales.

The Yorkdale store will include a new 18,000 square foot men's department (the current men's floor is 11,000 square feet) and the new floor will include several new upscale designers. A new unisex contemporary department will also be created, mixing men's and women's clothing brands so that women might influence men's purchases.

Holt Renfrew is about to embark on a $300million expansion. We will provide further details on some expansion proposals for Holt Renfrew stores across Canada.